Sewing bias strips

Dear users, dear authors,
how do you sew bias strips? Would anyone like to share their experience?

Here I’ll show you how you can make bias strips yourself
you need a ruler that also has angle markings on it, such as a
patchwork ruler. Place it on your fabric so that the 45° line
is positioned as in Image 1. It’s also important that you have a straight fabric edge
at a right angle, otherwise the whole thing won’t work.
as shown here in Image 2;
I usually cut my bias strips 5 cm wide; it’s easy with the
markings on the ruler, and you have enough fabric to fold over,
plus seam allowance. This is what the cut bias strips look like
if you’ve done it correctly, as shown here in Image 3
then place the strips right sides together, as shown in Image 4
and mark about 1 cm further in where you need to sew. I usually use
the width of the presser foot. Sew the two strips together there, as shown in Image 5;
then cut off the points as shown in Image 6, turn the strip over and
press it, and then you can use it for whatever you like
in the next thread I’ll show you how to sew on a bias strip,

Best regards, Inge





Image 6

Image 5

Image 4



Image 3


Image 2


Image 1

So, here I’ll show you how to sew on a bias strip, using a top I once sewed for myself.

Once the bias strip has been prepared as I described above,
you can then use it: pin the collar wrong side to right side
and sew it on. Then fold the collar outward, pin it in place and
topstitch close to the edge, as shown in the pictures. Then
you’ll have a lovely collar and a neat finish. I wrote these instructions
10 years ago.

Best regards, Inge

Oh wow.

I’m not quite as good at it as Inge yet. Well, I’m still a long way from that.

But I sewed a shirt, and for that I had to use bias tape. I had some in my stash, and it actually turned out pretty well.

I used it to finish the neckline and the legs of a pair of pants.

  My next challenge will be to make my own bias tape.

Thanks, Inge, for the detailed explanation. I’m going to try your step-by-step pattern. 

I’d like to add a small note to Inge’s lovely instructions above—or rather, an alternative to picture 4:



When joining the strips, place them right sides together at a 90-degree angle and then sew diagonally from the tip of one strip exactly to the tip of the other.
Trim the seam allowance and press the seam open.

Because the seam is now diagonal, there won’t be as many layers of fabric on top of each other later when folding or working with the bias tape, so it won’t be as thick at that point.
Also, this diagonal seam is usually much less noticeable than a straight one.

I usually cut my strips 4 cm wide; this way,
first of all, they’re the same width as standard store-bought bias tape, and
second, I find that it works better with the seam allowance (often 1 cm).